Fungal Fortress Meeting

The illumination mushrooms growing upside down from the ceiling gave off an orange-yellow glow, lighting up every face around the long council table.

This was the Fungal Fortress's first cabinet meeting, and everyone attending was a core member active within the Northern Territory.

According to the intelligence pried out of the scouts who had entered the Northern Territory, some lords in the Empire's north had already begun making moves. The Fungal Fortress had to be prepared.

Louisa swept her gaze over the room, her sharp fangs flickering in and out of sight behind her lips.

"We've now integrated the strength of almost the entire Northern Territory. We also have the Fungal Fortress's sturdy defenses, plus the blessing Boss Puji brought us. We absolutely won't be inferior to any imperial duke—if anything, we'll be stronger!

"The Empire's territory is vast, and internal strife never stops. There's no way they'll send out everything they have just because a new border power has appeared.

"While they're reacting slowly and making the wrong judgment, we strike them head-on.

"With one clean, decisive victory, we tell them that here stands a hard bone that will shatter their teeth if they try to gnaw it.

"Only then can we seize the initiative!"

Across from her, Shou raised his eyes.

"Louisa, I understand what you mean.

"But that is the Empire!

"The strongest power on the continent, with unfathomable foundations.

"A temporary victory may be possible, but what comes after?

"We'll draw even fiercer retaliation and drag the Fungal Fortress into an all-out war we aren't ready for yet.

"If the Empire were still at war with the humans and Dwarves, I would support you, but the Empire has its hands free now."

Then Shou began laying out his own thoughts. "I believe we should avoid direct